Pharmacy Technician

Summary
The Pharmacy Technician will assist the pharmacist in pharmacy distributive functions at the VA SORCC covering the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP) and Outpatient Clinic Programs, maintain patient profiles, ensure proper processing and storage of pharmaceuticals and perform required monthly surveillance of medication storage areas located outside the pharmacy.
This job is open to

• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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Duties
Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• 1. Proficient with technical knowledge of drug and medication brand names, generic names/chemical names, general and special storage requirements, expiration date requirements, manufacturer/distributor sources, dosage forms applicable system of weights and measures, and medical terminology in order to interpret physicians' orders and verify that correct drug, dosage form, strength, and dose are prepared and dispensed. Working knowledge of drug use and dosage forms available to be able to screen drug orders and assist the pharmacist in solving potential problems.
• 2. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile) without a second review. This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used.
• 3. Competently inputs prescriptions and medications orders as outlined by Pharmacy Service.
• 4. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution.
• 5. Identifies basic therapeutic problems, such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class or instructions too long for a label, and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention.
• 6. Thorough knowledge of operation and capabilities of automated dispensing systems and the ability to perform daily maintenance/minor repairs to such systems.
• 7. Assists with inventory management and ordering of medicines.
• 8. Knowledge of the laws, regulations and official policy concerning drug procurement and security to conform to legal and professional requirements of pharmacy practice; including process for handling hazardous drugs (as defined by National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health), controlled substances and hazardous waste.
• 9. Conducts monthly inspection of pharmaceutical storage areas in a timely fashion.
• 10. Working knowledge of facility computer system (VISTA/CPRS), specifically the applicable DHCP processing options (e.g. Outpatient Pharmacy Dispensing package).
• 11. Completes CPRS Pharmacy Consults in accordance to VHA policy.
• 12. Completes CPRS chart notes in accordance to VHA policy
• 13. Answers the telephones in a courteous and timely fashion ensuring calls are triaged in an appropriate fashion if the incumbent is unable to help the customer. Provides patient education on pharmacy topics such as the requesting refill process, and relay judgmental questions to the pharmacist.
• 14. As deemed necessary by the pharmacy supervisor, assists in other patient care areas to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services.
• 15. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in facility and Pharmacy Service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services.
• Performs all the duties of a Pharmacy Technician at lower grades as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30
Telework: Telework is ad-hoc with supervisor approval.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education or Experience: (1) None required. (2) For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level.
• Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
• Grandfathering Provision: Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
Pharmacy Technician, GS-06 Experience: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, you are required to possess at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-05), which demonstrates the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. KSAs described at the next lower grade level include: knowledge of basic pharmacy operations, knowledge of pharmaceuticals to perform duties in pharmacy functional areas, knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature (including generic, chemical, and proprietary names of drugs), ability to fill prescriptions, and ability to use pharmacy information systems or basic pharmacy dispensing equipment with oversight. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice.
• Knowledge of preparation, storage, and distribution of medication products, including those requiring special handling and documentation.
• Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment.
• Knowledge of basic inventory procedures.
• Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel.

References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28
Preferred Experience: Although not required, preferred experience with technical knowledge of drug and medication brand names, generic names/chemical names, general and special storage requirements, expiration date requirements, manufacturer/distributor sources, can identify basic therapeutic problems, such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class or instructions.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06.
Physical Requirements: Work is performed in a highly mechanized warehouse setting around production machinery. Moderate noise and traffic require attention to safety. Some work areas involve a moderate risk requiring exercise of safety precautions when operating or working around the automated equipment (i.e., accumulators, moving belts, etc.). Wearing gloves is mandatory when handling specific medications. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lbs. and bending/stooping/reaching.
Hazardous Drugs The incumbent may be exposed to hazardous drugs in final dosage form at this workplace, particularly in areas where routine pharmacy tasks, such as handling stock bottles, opening bottles to count tablets or capsules, preparation of prescriptions for dispensing, waste disposal, and spill response are performed.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
A encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

• Benefits
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  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for care...